Guarini, Giovanni Battista

4to (7 5/8 x 5 1/2 in.; 195 x 137 mm). Frontispiece portrait of the author by Kilian, pictorial title, woodcut vignette to second title, 6 plates, woodcut initials, woodcut head- and tailpieces; small repair to pictorial title, a few closed marginal tears. Full mid-17th century morocco (English), panelled with gilt filleted rules, spine with gilt Charles II cipher pattern, all edges gilt; slight wear to coroners, minor stain to front cover. 

Brunet II 1775; Gamba 556; Vinciana 4076 

CHARLES II'S COPY OF THE DEFINITIVE EDITION OF THE MOST WIDELY READ WORK OF SECULAR LITERATURE OF THE 17TH CENTURY. Il Pastor Fido, patterned on Tasso's Aminta, focuses upon the power of love to transform the soul. The influence of the work was immense, with 20 editions appearing by 1602.